This Date in Caps History - November 9

On Nov. 9, 1996, Washington general manager David Poile dealt defenseman Curtis Leschyshyn-acquired only the week before from Colorado-to the Hartford Whalers in exchange for center Andrei Nikolishin.

In parts of six seasons with Washington, Nikolishin recorded 161 points (58 goals, 113 assists) in 407 games with the Capitals. He was a key cog in the Capitals’ drive to the 1998 Stanley Cup Finals. In the playoffs that spring, Nikolishin set a team record with 13 assists.

Nikolishin’s best NHL season was 1995-96 when he scored 14 goals and 51 points for the Whalers. Both figures represent career highs.